The Hop Museum in Žatec is the biggest exposition of its kind in Europe. In the area of 4.000 square meters the development of hop industry from the Early Middle Ages until now is shown. In addition to the many exhibits displayed, visitors will see the building, which is of functional industrial architecture from the end of the 19th century to be found in Žatec, famous all over the world for the finest hops.

You will learn why the Žatec district became the producer of the best hops in the world and why the Žatec brand has had to be protected against low-quality imitations ever since medieval times.

You will be impressed by the charm of the fotographs and writtings about hop-growing and beer-making. You will also find here some agricultural machinery and historical machines.

The buildings, the museum is situated in, were built at the end of 19th century and were used as hop stores and packing– plants. The Hop museum was founded by the Chmelarstvi Cooperative Žatec during 1994 to 1997. The museum was opened during the International Hop Congress in Žatec in July 1997.

Chrám chmele a piva

Hop & Beer Temple is an amusement and educational complex, whose roots run deep in the rich tradition of the world-renowned hop-growing region. The attractive content of the tour will intrigue a broad variety of visitors. The programme is suitable for all age categories. During the visit to this tourist centre, many a secret of hop growing and good beer brewing will be revealed to you.

Stekník u Žatce

Hop research has within Czech hop cultivation a long tradition and important position. The beginning of its activity can be shown since 1925, it is the time when hop station was established.

In 1950 Hop Research Institute was put into operation. The main objective of it is not only hop breeding but hop protection against pests and diseases as well.

Within hop cultivation technologies Hop Research Institute solved the problematic of reconstruction to wide-spacing planting of hop stock, progressive methods in hop cultivation, development in mechanisation, hops harvesting and processing. A great deal of attention was devoted to hop breeding of Saaz semi-early red bine hops.

Breeding work is contemporary aimed at breeding of new varieties. We are trying to get new hybrid aroma and bitter hops which could be utilised in brewing industry.